Category Archives: economy

economy, politics

Philippines Introduces Rice Import Quota to Balance Farmer Protection and Food Security

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The Philippines has announced that it will reopen rice imports in January 2026, allowing 300,000 tonnes of rice to enter the country after several months of import restrictions. This move comes as local rice stocks run low and prices soften across Asia, raising questions about how far protectionist policies can go before hurting consumers.

Since September 2025, the Philippine government has banned rice imports to support domestic farmers during the harvest season and prevent a collapse in farmgate prices. This is a classic example of a protectionist policy—a government action designed to shield local industries from foreign competition. By limiting imports, the government aimed to increase demand (and prices) for locally produced rice, giving farmers higher incomes.

However, the downside soon became clear. Domestic rice stocks began to run out, pushing the government to temporarily lift the import ban in January. The import quota, which restricts the quantity of rice entering the market to 300,000 tonnes, is meant to ease shortages without flooding the market and driving prices down too sharply.

Meanwhile, Thailand and Vietnam, the region’s biggest rice exporters, are reporting strong harvests. Thai rice prices have dipped to around 6,200–6,600 baht per tonne, while Vietnam has maintained stable prices and reaffirmed its export target of 8 million tonnes for 2025. These trends demonstrate the power of global supply and demand in determining market prices: when supply increases, prices tend to fall.

Adding uncertainty to the picture, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that El Niño conditions could reduce future harvests across Southeast Asia, threatening regional food security. If this occurs, reduced supply could push prices up sharply—a reminder of how external shocks affect both producers and consumers.

For students, this story is a textbook case of how governments use trade restrictions like import quotas to balance the competing goals of protecting farmers and ensuring affordable food for consumers. It also highlights the tension between free trade, which promotes efficiency and consumer choice, and protectionism, which prioritizes domestic economic stability and employment.
https://thecuriouseconomist.com/philippines-introduces-rice-import-quota-to-balance-farmer-protection-and-food-security/

business, economy, finance, international

V Rijádu začíná 26. Valné shromáždění UN Tourism

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RIJÁD, Saúdská Arábie – Dnes bylo v Rijádu zahájeno 26. zasedání Valného shromáždění UN Tourism, které představuje historickou premiéru pro region Rady pro spolupráci v Perském zálivu (GCC). Jde zároveň o největší zasedání od založení UN Tourism před 50 lety.

Přibližně 160 delegací z členských států, včetně ministrů, vysokých úředníků a lídrů z celého odvětví a občanské společnosti, se shromáždilo, aby oslavilo pět desetiletí mezinárodní spolupráce.

Letos je Valné shromáždění organizováno pod tématem „Cestovní ruch řízený umělou inteligencí,“ které klade důraz na využití moderních technologií pro rozvoj a inovace v oblasti cestovního ruchu.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251107016963/cs/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-Q-tiwWZwkcswR1UZtV7eGe24xL9TZOyQUMS3J72mJlQ7fxFuNFTHSunhvli30RlBNXya2izy9YOgHlBiZQk2LOzmn6JePCpHPCiYGaEx4DL1Rq8pNwkf3AarimpDzQGuQ%3D%3D

economy, politics

Destroying Europe in order to save it: Extortion, theft, and the EU’s two disastrous choices

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Europe can postpone recognition of failure, but it cannot postpone the bill.

Europe now faces a stark choice forced by its disastrous war policy against Russia: either allow the EU to successfully move toward a centralized state over the heads of its member states, risking a mass Eurexit that may or may not succeed in reaction to that gamble, or delay the larger crisis through member states quietly accepting one of several schemes that will cripple the economy and create social strife regardless.

The Union must decide whether to use frozen Russian sovereign assets to finance a €140 billion “reparation” loan for Ukraine, or to issue joint debt through Eurobonds. Both paths carry severe legal risks and impose heavy costs on citizens: one through contingent liabilities, the other through immediate taxes, austerity, and political instability.

Pushing through the Eurobond option would amount to a structural coup, a radical re-engineering of the EU against its current form. A recent…
https://www.sott.net/article/502868-Destroying-Europe-in-order-to-save-it-Extortion-theft-and-the-EUs-two-disastrous-choices

economy, finance

Ave Maria Growth Fund Q3 2025 Commentary

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**Ave Maria Growth Fund Q3 2025 Commentary**
*November 7, 2025 | 5:15 AM ET*

For the three months ended September 30, 2025, the Ave Maria Growth Fund (AVEGX) delivered a total return of 0.84%. This performance compares to 8.12% for the S&P 500® Index and 4.84% for the S&P 500® Equal Weight Index over the same period.

Top contributors to the Fund’s return in the third quarter included NVIDIA, Rambus, O’Reilly Automotive, Taiwan Semiconductor, and Silicon Motion Technology.

Our investment philosophy remains focused on purchasing shares of exceptional companies at attractive prices, with the expectation of earning favorable returns over the long run.

We appreciate your interest in the Ave Maria Growth Fund and remain committed to long-term growth for our shareholders.

—

*Note: Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information, please visit our website or contact your financial advisor.*
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4840093-ave-maria-growth-fund-q3-2025-commentary?source=feed_all_articles

business, economy

Trump says he doesn’t know who Binance Founder CZ is, despite pardoning him

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Last year, Changpeng Zhao (AKA “CZ”), the founder of Binance—the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange—pleaded guilty to money laundering charges.

Last month, he was pardoned by President Donald Trump. However, this week, Trump stated that he has no idea who CZ is.

During an interview on the latest episode of 60 Minutes, Trump revealed that he doesn’t know much about CZ, despite having pardoned him just weeks ago.

“Okay, are you ready? I don’t know who he is,” Trump said during the interview, as quoted by CNBC. “I don’t know the man at all. I don’t think I ever met him,” he continued.

When asked how he came to pardon a man he doesn’t know, Trump explained that his family’s involvement in the crypto business influenced his decision.

“My sons are involved in crypto much more than I—me. I—I know very little about it, other than one thing. It’s a huge industry,” he said.

Trump also added that he “was told” CZ was a victim of the Biden Administration.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146671/donald-trump-doesnt-know-cz-binance

business, economy

First American Nuclear plans to bring SMRs to Indiana

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First American Nuclear and Indiana leadership announced Tuesday that the company will bring its headquarters, manufacturing facilities, and an energy park to the state.

“Indiana is leading the nation in the next chapter of American energy independence,” Gov. Mike Braun said in a news release. “With First American Nuclear planting its roots here, we’re bringing 5,000 high-paying, generational Hoosier jobs while cementing our state as a leader in clean, reliable nuclear power.”

### What is First American Nuclear?

First American Nuclear is a company dedicated to building small modular reactors, or SMRs, which are advanced nuclear reactors that have about one-third the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The company’s energy park is designed to be the first “closed-fuel cycle” in U.S. history, meaning it will reprocess and reuse spent nuclear fuel on-site, eliminating 97% of long-lasting nuclear waste.

EAGL-1, the reactor planned to be used, can create more fuel than it burns, according to First American Nuclear. This capability positions the energy to be classified as clean and renewable.

“In the flurry of America’s nuclear renaissance, Indiana and FANCO found a shared commitment to technical merit, authenticity, and follow-through,” said Mike Reinboth, CEO of First American Nuclear. “Collectively, our team has dedicated centuries to nuclear science, resulting in an unmatched nuclear solution that, fittingly, will take root in the crossroads of America.”

### Opposition and Concerns

Kerwin Wilson, executive director of the Citizens Action Coalition, expressed skepticism about nuclear power’s ability to meet Indiana’s energy demands. He also questioned claims about its cleanliness.

“They are not even close to being cost-effective with other fuels and technologies, not to mention that they are years away from being commercially available, if they ever will be,” Wilson stated. “They are not a solution to meeting the growing electric demand. Affordable, clean, and truly safe technologies, like wind and solar, are available today. There’s no need to squander billions in ratepayer and taxpayer money down the nuclear rabbit hole and expose our communities to the inherent dangers and risks of the nuclear fuel cycle. There’s a better path forward.”

Similarly, Ashley Williams, executive director of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, called SMRs “a fantasy of the nuclear industry” and a false solution.

“Indiana’s so-called energy priorities are nothing short of shameful,” Williams said. “These aren’t the priorities of everyday Hoosiers. They’re the agenda of Big Tech Billionaires, cashing in on the data center boom that is actively extracting from our communities and displacing our workforce in places like my community of Michigan City and across the country.”

### Supporting Studies and Site Selection

A Purdue University study, funded by the Indiana Office of Energy Development and released in November 2024, found that SMRs can release carbon-free electricity with the capacity to meet Indiana’s growing energy needs. The study also evaluated multiple coal plants as suitable sites.

Purdue received $300,000 to complete the report, according to the state’s Transparency Portal.

In the study, RM Schahfer in Jasper County was identified as a suitable site. Two other NIPSCO plants—Bailly in Porter County and Michigan City’s plant in LaPorte County—were also considered; however, Bailly was deprioritized, and Michigan City was deemed “too populated” and unsuitable for SMRs.

### Company Plans and Timelines

A spokesperson for First American Nuclear shared via email that the company is currently seeking sites for its corporate headquarters, manufacturing facility, and energy park, although no final decisions have been made.

Construction for both the manufacturing and energy park sites is expected to begin in 2028.

Regarding economic and tax incentives, the spokesperson declined to provide specific figures but stated that the company is benefiting from incentives offered to all Indiana businesses. These include tax credits for builders of SMRs and research and development initiatives.

“Indiana has a highly business-friendly environment, affordable cost of living, advantageous central location, and deep pool of tech talent,” the spokesperson said. “It’s premature to provide actual numbers, but First American Nuclear is benefiting from incentives offered to all Indiana businesses.”

### Utility Perspective

In a January statement, NIPSCO said it is amid a multiyear plan to close its coal-fired generating stations and replace them with more cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable sources, including wind, solar, and battery storage.

In 2024, NIPSCO conducted four Requests for Proposal (RFP) events covering all fuel sources but did not receive any proposals for SMR projects, according to Post-Tribune archives. The utility received a total of 116 proposals.

NIPSCO was unavailable for immediate comment regarding First American Nuclear’s plans or whether any of its facilities might be considered for nuclear power.

—

As Indiana embarks on this next chapter of energy development, the debate continues between proponents advocating for advanced nuclear technologies and opponents urging investment in existing renewable solutions. The coming years will reveal how these initiatives shape the state’s energy future.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/04/first-american-nuclear-plans-to-bring-smrs-to-indiana/

culture, economy, entertainment, politics, technology

4Chan user checks out bunker his paranoid grandfather created, inside they find human remains and faces carved into the walls

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**Disturbing Discovery in Grandfather’s Secret Bunker: A 4Chan Mystery**

In 2012, a chilling story surfaced on 4Chan, where an anonymous user shared a disturbing discovery about their recently deceased grandfather. Although the original post was deleted shortly after it was made, screenshots of the message and accompanying images have continued to circulate online. The eerie nature of the story has made it a popular subject for true crime YouTubers and creators who focus on unsolved internet mysteries. One such YouTuber, known as Coop, documented the case while including screenshots of the original post.

### The Grandfather’s Creepy Bunker

The original poster (OP) began by explaining that their last living grandparent, an 89-year-old grandfather, had passed away. The grandfather was said to be a World War II veteran who was deeply paranoid about the possibility of another war erupting at any moment. To prepare for what he believed was an inevitable apocalypse, the grandfather had built a secret bunker.

At one point, the OP recalls asking their grandfather about the bunker. The response was chilling — the grandfather warned them to stay away, labeling the bunker as “just a ____.” The OP couldn’t quite catch the last word but thought it sounded like “ah Sioux air,” leaving the exact meaning mysterious and unsettling.

### Exploring the Bunker

After the grandfather’s death, the OP decided to investigate the bunker, expecting to find typical survival supplies such as rations and tools for enduring a nuclear war. What they discovered, however, was far more disturbing.

Navigating through winding tunnels carved into rock, the OP came upon a large iron door secured with a padlock. The lock was rusted enough to be broken open, and inside, the atmosphere grew increasingly eerie.

Deeper within one room, the OP found a cross carved into the stone wall, surrounded by numerous faces also carved into the rock. Photos shared along with the post reveal these unsettling carvings, which add to the mystery’s haunting nature.

### A Gruesome Discovery

Things took a darker turn when the OP noticed what appeared to be a human bone beneath some debris on the floor. More bones seemed to emerge from the concrete itself. Adding to the terror, the OP claims to have heard laughter echoing through the tunnels before fleeing the bunker as quickly as possible.

### What Was the Bunker?

No updates from the original poster have surfaced since then. Speculation has run rampant online. Some suggest the bunker might have been used by the grandfather as a subterranean burial site for loved ones. Another 4Chan user proposed that the word the grandfather used to describe the bunker — which OP misheard as “ah Sioux air” — could have been “ossuary,” a term for a place where human bones are kept.

### Fact or Fiction?

This story remains an internet mystery, shrouded in uncertainty. How much of it is true, and how much might be fabricated? The fact that the OP deleted their post soon after sharing it raises questions. What would be the motivation for inventing such an elaborate lie only to remove it so quickly?

We may never know the full truth about the grandfather’s bunker or the origins of the disturbing tale. For now, it remains one of those eerie stories that continue to captivate and unsettle those fascinated by unsolved internet mysteries.
https://wegotthiscovered.com/fyi/4chan-user-checks-out-bunker-his-paranoid-grandfather-created-inside-they-find-human-remains-and-faces-carved-into-the-walls/

economy, entertainment, politics

Salman Khan to play Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s right hand Jeeva Mahala in Riteish Deshmukh’s Raja Shivaji

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Salman Khan Set to Play Jeeva Mahala in Riteish Deshmukh’s Historical Epic *Raja Shivaji*

Salman Khan is reportedly set to make a significant appearance in Riteish Deshmukh’s upcoming historical epic *Raja Shivaji*. The superstar will portray Jeeva Mahala, the courageous and loyal warrior who was one of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s most trusted aides. According to reports, Salman will shoot his sequence on November 7, and the scene is expected to be one of the film’s standout moments.

Every time Salman Khan appears on the big screen, he creates a unique aura. His prominent role in *Raja Shivaji* is a perfect choice, given the importance of Jeeva Mahala’s character in history. Salman has previously made cameo appearances in Riteish Deshmukh’s *Lai Bhaari* and the song “Ved Lavlay” from the film *Ved*, making this collaboration well established.

Jeeva Mahala played a crucial role in protecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during the fierce attack by Sayyad Banda, the trusted lieutenant of Afzal Khan. This defining act of courage will be a major highlight in the film. With Salman Khan stepping into the role of Jeeva Mahala, and Sanjay Dutt portraying Afzal Khan, audiences can look forward to a grand and emotionally charged cinematic moment that honors timeless bravery, loyalty, and history.

On the professional front, Salman Khan’s lineup remains packed with high-octane commercial entertainers. His much-anticipated war drama, *Battle of Galwan*, has already generated significant buzz online since the release of its first look. Additionally, a reunion with director Kabir Khan, especially with *Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2*, could mark a shift towards the emotionally resonant storytelling that defined their earlier work together.

Stay tuned for more updates on Salman Khan’s exciting projects and Bollywood news.

—

*Also Read:*
**SCOOP:** *Battle Of Galwan* makers considering June 2026 release; shoot of Salman Khan-starrer wraps up in December
*BOLLYWOOD NEWS LIVE UPDATES*
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/salman-khan-play-chhatrapati-shivaji-maharajs-right-hand-jeeva-mahala-riteish-deshmukhs-raja-shivaji/

business, economy, entertainment

Mario Kart World has sold 9.57 million units since launch

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Even though *Mario Kart World* has been out for less than six months, it has already proven to be another big winner for Nintendo. The latest entry in the series has sold an impressive 9.57 million units since its launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2.

This information comes from Nintendo’s most recent six-month earnings report, issued late Monday evening. According to the report, “*For Nintendo Switch 2 software, Mario Kart World, released at the same time as the hardware, and Donkey Kong Bananza, released in July, showed strong sales.*”

The Nintendo Financial Results Explanatory Material, covering the period ending November 4, further states: “*Combined with titles released by other software publishers, unit sales for Nintendo Switch 2 software for the first half of the fiscal year were 20.62 million. Please note that this sales result includes the approximately 8.10 million units of Nintendo Switch 2 software that were bundled with the hardware.*”

Regarding hardware sales, Nintendo has sold 10.36 million units of the Nintendo Switch 2. Out of those, 9.57 million units came bundled with the Switch 2-exclusive *Mario Kart World* in some form.

While *Mario Kart World* has made a strong start, it still has a long way to go to catch the lifetime sales of *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*, which has sold over 68 million units. Speaking of the previous Mario Kart title, it has sold an additional 1.37 million units recently, bringing its lifetime sales total to more than 69 million.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146659/mario-kart-world-november-2025-nintendo-sales